The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 66: Welcoming Party

“You really love doing this,” Gao Yang said just to fill the quiet.

“Yeah, I redo it seven to eight times a day. People browse Tok Tik when they are bored; I paint my toenails.”

“Careful not to destroy your nails.”

“It won’t happen.” Not sparing him another glance, White Rabbit focused on painting her toenails like an artist immersed in her creation. She had steady hands, and as she moved the brush vertically along the curve of her toenails back and forth, each stroke parallel to the previous stroke, she gradually covered her nail with a consistent layer of just the right amount of nail polish. Gao Yang watched her do the work for a while; the process was oddly therapeutic and aesthetically satisfying.

It was about ten minutes later that White Rabbit finished the toenails of one foot.

Pleased, she blew on her toes and looked up at Gao Yang. “Good?”

“It’s alright.”

“I think so too.” White Rabbit put the nail polish away. “But after a bit I’ll think it doesn’t look good. Then I’ll want to redo my nails in a different color again.”

“That’s what people call OCD.”

“Nah, I just have a foot fetish!”

Gao Yang didn’t want to waste his breath arguing. After some deliberation, he asked in the most natural tone he could manage, “The owner of the barbecue place from yesterday...”

“What? You’re still thinking about her?”

“No. I just want to know how strong she is.”

“I don’t know. I’ve never fought her, but she’s no pushover, I’m sure.”

Before asking more questions, Gao Yang gave the driver a wary look. White Rabbit said, “Don’t worry. He’s a white face.”

“Then I’ll be frank. Why hasn’t the organization recruited her?” Gao Yang didn’t expect to get much from the question, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask. After all, he knew nothing about Liu Qingying, which would put him at a disadvantage in their deal going forward.

“Well, how should I put it? She’s a bit of a lone wolf and not interested in joining the organization. We aren’t interested in her either though.”

“Why?”

White Rabbit straightened up and put a hand on Gao Yang’s shoulder like an adult talking to a kid. “I told you that if your weakness is ever exposed, your death would follow soon, didn’t I?”

“How is that related to my question?”

“I’m getting to it! Well, some people don’t have a weakness.”

“Like her?”

“That’s right, and there’s more to it.” White Rabbit smacked her lips. “Even if there’s someone who doesn’t have a weakness, they should have an ambition. However, the restaurant owner not only appears to have no weakness, but also keeps her ambition well hidden. Someone like her is too dangerous and unpredictable. She’ll only be a risk to us if she joins us.”

“Makes sense,” Gao Yang agreed.

“Right? I didn’t say all that myself, but heard it from Captain.” Whenever she talked about their captain, her eyes always glinted with admiration like an avid idol fan.

“The one who could’ve been my long lost brother?” Gao Yang snorted.

“Yep!”

“Would I get to meet him at the party?”

“No. He’s a bit busy lately. But everyone other than him and the vice-captain will be there.” White Rabbit glanced out of the window. “Here we are.”

Gao Yang got out of the car after White Rabbit and was stunned to see their destination. “The Millennium Tower!”

“That’s right.”

The Millennium Tower was built five years ago. It was also known as the Li City International Financial Center, located in the most developed district of the city: Daxu District. Found at the intersection of Furong Road and a walking street, the towering skyscraper was an amalgamation of a massive shopping mall, high-end office building, serviced apartment, and five-star hotel.

Standing 430 meters in height with 90 floors and accompanied by a 60-floor, 305-meter tall side building, the Millennium Tower occupied a land of 74.4 thousand square meters with a total building area of more than a million square meters. It was the tallest building in Li City.

At the very top of the tower was a small ferris wheel flickering light twenty-four seven, like a technicolor gear hovering above the Li City.

The ferris wheel had never been opened to anyone. Rumors had it that the owner of the building was a mysterious young businessman who didn’t like attention—someone straight out of a CEO drama. The man had never made a public appearance, but he had said that in the future, he would like to hold a wedding at the top of the tower, riding on the ferris wheel with his bride-to-be.

Gao Yang sucked in a deep breath. “Don’t tell me this building is...”

“Yeah.” White Rabbit smiled. “This is Wu Dahai’s property.”

Gao Yang lost his voice.

White Rabbit put on a finely-made employee ID and strode past the grandiose revolving door. Two staff members immediately came up to them and led them to a private doorway in the restricted area. They entered the private elevator that would take them straight to Wu Dahai.

The elevator climbed along the spine of the tower, the outside wall a piece of sturdy one-way mirror. From inside the elevator, Gao Yang could see himself moving higher and higher still, and the crowds, cars, streets, and houses growing farther and smaller. It was as if they were ascending to the heavens along with the cultivator that was Wu Dahai.

Gao Yang couldn’t help but ask, “How rich is Wu Dahai’s family?”

“Not terribly rich. His parents’ monthly salary is six to seven thousand yuan[1], and the yearly bonus is tens of thousands, I think,” White Rabbit said coolly as she watched the bustling city at night on the other side of the glass. “His dad’s a highschool math teacher, and his mother a full-time housewife.”

“Um.” Gao Yang was caught off guard once again. “So Wu Dahai’s the first generation that made it big?”

“Yeah, he majored in electric engineering in college. After graduating, he didn’t want to work at a company, so he did his own thing and developed a great material with extremely high power capacity. The material has been applied in many fields, and he holds the patent for it. You know how smartphones can last three days after a full charge now? In the past, one full charge would only last half a day. Can you imagine that?”

“Impressive.”

“His second uncle is a businessman in new energy, and he started a company with Wu Dahai. They hit it big. It took only seven to eight years for Wu Dahai to become one of the richest people in this city. He never really manages the company though. His uncle is in charge of the operation. Wu Dahai doesn’t need to do anything but count the money falling onto his lap.”

“I envy him.”

“Yeah, money can buy a lot of convenience. That was why I recruited him as soon as I learned that he was an awakener.” White Rabbit seemed proud of her achievement. “Who would’ve known he would act more like a horny old man?”

Gao Yang didn’t deem that a response.

Soon, the elevator stopped, and the two of them walked into the hallway.

At the end of the hallway was a bright silver metal door. White Rabbit leaned closer to have her eye scanned by the embedded camera before speaking a code for voice print verification. Only then did the door open for them slowly.

Inside was a large, luxurious room renovated in the style of a western palace, but the design also incorporated many eastern elements such as sculpted rosewood screen, ink paintings, blue-and-white porcelain, and all kinds of antiques, calligraphies, and art pieces. In addition, there were also a plethora of figurines, blind boxes, and even Gundam mechas that could actually fit a person... His taste left something to be desired, but there was a clear common theme: everything looked expensive!

Before the door was a blindingly red carpet leading all the way to the desk at the center of the room, behind which was a replica of the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones. Made by melting hundreds of iron swords, the seat seemed hard, cold, and sharp. Gao Yang felt his hip bone throbbing just by looking at it.

Dressed in a shit-yellow pajamas, Wu Dahai was signing documents on his iron throne while biting into a cucumber, hair floppy, legs crossed, and expression bored.

Qing Ling and Officer Huang were there as well. They had just arrived and were looking over Wu Dahai’s obscenely luxurious office.

“Now that everyone’s here, let’s get the party started.” Wu Dahai finished signing all the documents and stood up, casting his fountain pen aside and taking one last bite of the cucumber. “Let’s go!”

1. About 800-900 USD ?